Blog - ID card printers

Purchasing an identification card printer is a significant
investment, and probably not one that you want to repeat if

you end up with the
wrong one. Plus, if you settle on a printer that can't meet your needs, you
might find yourself stuck with inadequate ID badges, prohibitively slow print
speeds, jammed up machines, or other frustrations. That is why it's so
important to consider your options before making a selection, and know what to
look for in an identification card printer. These are the 5 key features to
focus on:

1. Number
of Sides

Identification card printers typically come as either a
single-side printer, or a dual-side printer. The only difference is that
dual-side printers can print onto both sides of a card in a single pass. It is
entirely up to you which type of printer you pick, just make sure you tailor
your choice to your ID printing needs. If you plan on printing a lot of cards,
or particularly complex cards, having the enhanced capability of the dual-side
printer will save you time and hassles. If you needs are more basic, spend less
on the single-side printer. Just make sure to account for both your present and
future needs.

2. Print
Speed

Most organizations end up using their identification card
printer to print off a large number of badges at once, and then it largely
sites idle until the next big print job. That is why print speed is such an
important consideration. If your printer can't handle the volume of you require
of it, you might face annoying backlogs, missed deadlines, or degraded
equipment. Be sure to research the print speed for both color and monochromatic
print jobs.

3. Office
Fit

This is a feature that often gets overlooked when shopping
for identification card printers, but ultimately it might be the most important
consideration of all. Unless you have a lot of space to work with, you are
probably going to set your printer up wherever you have room. Make sure that
the one you select is the right size to fit into the space available, has
access to the necessary power sources, and it not so loud that it creates a
disruption around your office. Basically make sure you known the dimension of
the machine you are purchasing, and find out what it looks/sounds like in
operation.

4. Warranty

Identification card printers are complex machines with
lots of moving parts that get put through a lot of use. Even the best ones are
susceptible to problems because of all that wear and tear. Look for a printer
that comes with a warranty that covers both the printer itself and the
printerheads - the most sensitive component. That way, if you ever do have a
problem, you can get it resolved quickly, cost-effectively, and by a qualified
technician.

5. Security
Features

As part of your interconnected office, you will almost
certainly want an identification car printer with a USB port and Ethernet
connectivity. These features are an asset, but also possibly a liability if you
plan to have your printer connected to a network. If malicious entities can
tamper with your printer from offsite, you might be inviting exactly the kinds
of threats your ID badges are meant to protect against. Plus, emerging federal
regulations are mandating that these printers have certain security features built
in, and if you are non-compliant you could face a penalty. The best policy is
to look for a printer that has the most advanced available security features
built in already. The extra cost you pay is far less than the cost of a
replacement printer down the road.

One strategy that is helpful when selecting between
identification card printers is to make a list of all the features that you
require from your entire ID card program, and then look for the printer that
can deliver the largest number of them. And if you have questions or concerns,
it is always worth it to speak directly to an expert. Contact the team at Evergreen ID Systems to get all the
information you need.

If you plan to make a large number of ID cards, you owe it
to yourself to learn more about ID card printers. These specialized printers
are a cost-effective tool for making high-quality ID cards on site. For
businesses and institutions where this is a long-term priority, making a
one-time investment in this technology can save you money [...]

Finding the best ID card printer for you can be difficult. Anyone can find customer/user reviews online for a wide range of quality ID card printers, however, even if an ID card printer has a great review, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right one for you. Printers are generally selected for light, medium, or [...]